KHS Group is expanding its capability through new acquisitions. It has purchased a majority share in Tyrolon to expand its bottle handling expertise and, together with Ferrum, it is acquiring canning technology specialist H.F. Meyer Maschinenbau from next year.
Acquiring the majority share in Austrian company Tyrolon-Schulnig will see KHS Group expand its expertise in the handling of PET and glass bottles.
Tyrolon’s know-how is already being put to successful use on KHS lines, with established equipment such as conveying stars and neck clamp systems now to be jointly further developed.
“This holding binds two companies closer together who already worked extremely successfully together in the past,” says Martin Resch, managing director of the KHS Group. “It’s therefore not only good strategy to further develop this knowledge with the focus on the high-performance range; first and foremost, it also gives our customers significant added value, with systems and solutions now available from a single source.”
Family business Tyrolon-Schulnig GmbH, founded in 1981, is known for the development and production of two systems. One is the tyrolon Star that enables gentle, efficient and versatile conveying of bottles and other containers of various shape and size; the other is the universal tyrolon neck clamp system that is especially low maintenance, of high quality and convincing with its long service life in direct market comparison.
The future Tyrolon GmbH will not only supply KHS with its portfolio; it will service the entire market. The universal system will thus continue to be available to all.
Both companies emphasize their loyalty to their respective locations and particular responsibility towards the Tyrolon workforce at the Hochfilzen headquarters in Austria. KHS’ worldwide organisation will also give Tyrolon considerable opportunities for growth.
CANNING EXPERTISE
The acquisition of H.F. Meyer will see the integration of the canning technology specialist's expertise in segments such as can turners, rinsers, and vacuum bridges with Ferrum’s and KHS’ existing capabilities. H.F. Meyer will remain an independent entity within the consortium.
According to Beat Buhlmann, chairman of the board of directors at the Ferrum Group, H.F. Meyer’s knowledge will significantly contribute to advancing the group’s capabilities. He said, “H.F. Meyer’s special expertise gives us a significant wealth of know-how that we’ll be able to apply to joint further developments.”
The merger aims to establish a competence centre for canning technology, focusing on developing customised solutions for the beverage industry. Martin Resch, managing director of the KHS Group, highlighted the objective, stating, “The aim is to supply the best canning lines in the world. In working together with H.F. Meyer and Ferrum, the efficiency and quality of our plant machinery will continuously increase.”
H.F. Meyer, based in Schleswig-Holstein with a second facility in Bavaria, employs around 100 staff and has built a strong reputation in the beverage industry. Buhlmann confirmed that the company will continue to honour all obligations to customers with its existing standards of quality and service.
